3D technology to give Scots patients insight into operating theatre

By NATALIE WALKER
Published on 07/11/2012 12:52

PATIENTS will be able to see first-hand how their medical treatments will affect their body with the introduction of Scotland’s first virtual 3D surgical tool.

• Patients to be given insight into medical procedures via Scotland’s first 3D surgical tool

• Trainee doctors will also benefit from technology as tool will enable practice on 3D models and animations

The high-tech device will also enable trainee doctors to practice surgical techniques on 3D models and animations.

Developed by staff at Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank the virtual animations will allow patients see visual representation of what their treatment will involve and how it will work.

The project was the brain-child of Dr Robert Zimmer, a consultant anaesthetist at the Scottish hospital who also works as software development consultant.

Dr Zimmer said: “The 3D training programme is currently in its infancy but the opportunities are limitless and that is something which will benefit patients across Scotland.

“We hope that it will improve people’s understanding and visualisation of the body’s anatomy and in the future can be taken from the training room to the consulting room to educate our patients about their condition and treatment.”

“As a national resource for the NHS in Scotland, with our own specialist research and clinical skills facility, it is important we are at the forefront in delivering new and innovative training programmes.”

Health Secretary Alex Neil saw the virtual equipment first hand when he revealed plans to roll=out the virtual programme to enable as many dictors to use the high-techprogramme.

He said: ““This is a really exciting development which shows how new technology can be used to help improve care and treatment for Scottish patients.

“I look forward to seeing how it develops, and how it can be rolled out further to train more doctors in more specialties.”

The training is currently being used within the Golden Jubilee’s Enhanced Recovery Programme for teaching on knee anatomy and regional anaesthesia and is soon expected to be used for training in more specialties.

Experts say The use of bespoke 3D technology is proven to improve the understanding of complex anatomy.

The 3D programmes are still relatively new within the medical world and is not yet widely available in Europe or the United States.